The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 10 approved the purchase of a 2025 Kenworth tandem snowplow truck from Master Tech Truck Equipment for $312,001.83.

Highway Superintendent Jason Schultz told commissioners the purchase comes under a sourcewell contract commonly used by other counties and that the package includes the truck (budgeted at about $286,000) plus equipment (about $25,000) for a fully outfitted vehicle. "We actually sent Brian and Charlie down there to Wichita last week to take a look at this truck and drive it," Schultz said. "They came back with just a glowing review of it."

Schultz said the new truck is ready to be picked up, except for a rear sander that will be installed in a few weeks, and that the county intends to remove an older truck from service and send it to auction. He explained warranty options and maintenance concerns with liners in truck boxes. "I think these trucks are built specifically for municipal and county work for snowplows," Schultz said, adding that buying new is intended to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.

Commissioners asked about lead times, delivery costs and whether the vehicle would be used year-round for hauling gravel and other road work when not plowing snow. Schultz said lead times for custom builds can be long and that getting a factory-built truck for this purpose was preferable. The board approved the motion to purchase by roll call.

The approval begins a planned multi-year effort to replace aging fleet vehicles, Schultz said. The county will pursue a delivery option that may reduce shipping costs by coordinating pickup at an industry show in Kearney.

The truck purchase was presented as a budgeted item; commissioners confirmed it had been accounted for in the current budget.